Fun Day with Maci and Ella

I got to hang out with these sweet girls today and loved every minute of it.  They had fun dressing up, playing games and putting together puzzles.  So excited that they are moving closer to us and we hope that we get to hang out a little more often!

Celebrating Miss Jesslyn

We have been blessed to have this precious young lady take care of our girls for the past 3 1/2 years.  She loves our girls and they love her.  Miss Jesslyn is leaving in a few weeks to go to college and we are super sad for our girls but super excited for her.  We can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for Miss Jesslyn!!

Caroline wanted to write a card for Miss Jesslyn.

The teacher in me knew that it was best for her to sound it out but the perfectionist in me wanted to keep trying to get the right sounds. HA  In case you are wondering what it says "Dear Miss Jesslyn, Thank you for taking care of me. Caroline"

Ed Venture

After trying for over 2 months to schedule a play date together, it finally happened!  We met at EdVenture, a children's museum for a day of fun!  The kids, all 7 under 7, played so well together!  It gave us mommies a chance to catch up on life.  So thankful for these families and the blessing they are to us.

this fireman gave a wonderful presentation on fire safety

loved that Caroline was pumping gas while the boys were hanging out in the front seat

the little café downstairs was closed so we asked where the closest place was to eat.  we were told there was a McDonald's across the street and that we could even walk there.  So we headed out, 7 kids in tow.  Once on the sidewalk we realized it was a block away AND we had to cross a MAJOR intersection.  6 lanes of traffic plus watching cars turning...it was an adventure to say the least!

hard to believe that in the next month, another kiddo will be added to the group.  in march, the second kiddo will be added to the group!  can't wait!!

thanks for a wonderful day Vanessa and Amy!!

Canning tomatoes

Growing up we always planted a large garden in the summer.  We ate a lot of yummy stuff from our garden but also put up a lot of stuff for the winter.  One thing we never grew but always put up was tomatoes.  We would go to a local farm and buy bushels and bushels of tomatoes. A few years before my daddy died, he and I, along with Andy canned one of our last batches.  We met in the tomato field just a few short weeks after his colostomy surgery to pick.  We met before daylight for breakfast and were finished picking before the sun truly came out for the day...I have such fond memories of that time spent with my daddy. 

 

Before we left for vacation, mom picked tomatoes so that they would be ready for us when we got back.  Mom and I spent 7 1/2 hours working on these beauties...I am one tired puppy tonight!!!!!!  But can't wait to enjoy a big pot of vegetable soup this winter. 

 

Step 1: Pick tomatoes and lay out for a few days-it helps determine which ones are bad.

 

Step 2: Pick out the red tomatoes and place in a pot of hot water-doesn't have to be boiling.  Leave the tomatoes in until the skin begins to crack.

 Step 3: Place the warm tomatoes in a pan and let cool

Step 4: Core and peel tomatoes (it's really easy, you only have to pull the skin away because the heat cracked it)  Place the peeled tomatoes in the blender until juiced and no chunks

 Step 5: Pour into a pot on medium high and bring to a boil.  Only fill pot about 2/3's full or it will boil over and make a mess.  Continue to boil tomatoes until froth/foam is no longer on top.  It takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the pot.  Be sure to use a thick pot and stir regularly or they will stick to the bottom.

 Step 6: Pour into sterile jars (very important that you preheat oven on about 200 and allow jars to heat about 10 minutes to make sure they are clean and clear of bacteria.  Also must buy new lips to seal correctly)  Add 1 teaspoon of salt to each jar, 2 if using larger jars.

Step 7: Wait and listen for the lids to pop!  Here is the finished product plus 24 more pint jars already boxed and ready

Thanks Momma for all your help!!!

Family Vacation

For the first time in several years, we took a family vacation with my family.  In the past we have always gone camping-each family in their own camper.  However, this year my mom rented us a condo at the beach.  We were a little tight but had a blast non the less!!

 

Sweet Mary Claire-18 months old

She is a monkey and her determination reminds me so much of Caroline when she was this age.  One of the funniest things said this weekend was about her.  Wilson, her older brother, said "She might be bad but she has GREAT manners."  yes she does!!!

Alston, Wilson and Jake playing a game on the iPad

lazy river fun

the kids LOVED the hot tub

Peyton slept in the chair

Bob and Daniel made us a yummy breakfast-French toast with mom's cinnamon sugar bread and bacon

the kids loved the balcony

cutie with pig tails

big wave!!!!

she knew exactly what to do

Granny and the kids making sandcastles

playing on the beach is HARD work

the finished product

breakfast of champions

sweetie!

We couldn't have asked for a better vacation, thanks Mom.  Thanks Mrs. Elden for allowing our family to invade your lovely condo...I am sure it will never be the same!!



Tagging Along

Andy found out a few weeks ago that he was going to have to go out of town for a business meeting.  It just so happened that it was in the SAME town that Aunt Lill and Uncle Ed live in.  AND it just so happened that I didn't have to work today!!!  So Caroline and I packed up and tagged along to help keep the sweet hubs from missing us company.  We made it in time for a wonderful dinner last night and a game of whatever that thing is called, haven't a clue.  Andy headed out early and we had a somewhat lazy morning at home.  Once the sleep head little girls woke up, we headed out for a fun girls day.

having fun

 thrown like a pro

 calculating points

 last round

 first on the agenda today was picking blueberries

 we had great helpers!!!

 they are some of the absolute best blueberries I have ever had!  they almost looked like grapes and were super juicy and sweet!!!

 

 posing with our almost full bucket

 yumm-O

 After blueberry picking, we headed home to unload, change clothes and load up again for Trader Joe's.  This time I had a little better idea of what I was looking for.  I got a few new things my sweet friend Amy recommended.  I can't wait for a yummy cup of coffee tomorrow morning....Once we finished with Trader Joe's we headed home to relax and eat lunch.  We had a few hours before the hubs got finished with work.

3 generations of ladies

 

We left home yesterday at 2:30 to head out of town.  Today at 2:45 we loaded back up to head home...what a quick, world wind of a trip.  But so very THANKFUL for time with my sweet Aunt who always makes us feel so welcome and always goes above and beyond!!!  Can't wait for October when the apples are ripe and ready!